Roman Polanski's Film Sweeps European Film Awards

'The Ghost Writer' which was being filmed when he got arrested, won six titles including Best Director for Polanski and Best Actor for Ewan McGregor.

Photo credit: Daniel Deme/WENN

Roman Polanski's tense political thriller "The Ghost Writer" swept the board at the European Film Awards on Saturday, December 4, taking home six honors. The "Rosemary's Baby" director was shooting the movie when he was arrested in Zurich, Switzerland in September last year over a 33-year-old child sex charge.

He was released in July after Swiss officials refused to extradite him to the U.S. and he returned to his adopted homeland of France. And Polanski refused to run the risk of being arrested again to accept his awards at the event in Estonia - he thanked voters for their support via internet video software Skype.

The film was the toast of the evening, winning titles for Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Music Score, Best Production and Best Actor for star Ewan McGregor. While addressing the assembled industry members at the ceremony, Polanski said, "You have rewarded a truly European venture."